Quick question. I've owned a Huskee 22 ton splitter now for 5 years and have never had an issue with it and am looking to give it a service. I want to change the hydraulic fluid and filter. On sale next week at our TSC stores are two different 5 gallon pails of hydraulic fluid. One is called Unitrac which is on sale for $64.00 per pail and the other one is called ISO-32 Anti-Wear which is on sale for $37.00 per pail. Which type should I use in the splitter? With the 100% price difference I'm kind of at a loss as to which type to use. I don't want to screw my splitter up by using the incorrect type of fluid. I thought hydraulic fluid was hydraulic fluid and didn't realize there was a difference. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks again guys!!

Quick question. I've owned a Huskee 22 ton splitter now for 5 years and have never had an issue with it and am looking to give it a service. I want to change the hydraulic fluid and filter. On sale next week at our TSC stores are two different 5 gallon pails of hydraulic fluid. One is called Unitrac which is on sale for $64.00 per pail and the other one is called ISO-32 Anti-Wear which is on sale for $37.00 per pail. Which type should I use in the splitter? With the 100% price difference I'm kind of at a loss as to which type to use. I don't want to screw my splitter up by using the incorrect type of fluid. I thought hydraulic fluid was hydraulic fluid and didn't realize there was a difference. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks again guys!!

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The Unitrac is actually tractor hydraulic fluid which is designed to run wet brakes, transmissions, axles, the whole ball of works.

You could use the THF, it wouldn't hurt a thing, but you don't need it. It'd be a waste of bucks.

I used TSC's plain old hydraulic fluid, the AW32 stuff.

You can use transmission fluid also.

Never give up on your dreams. You'll fail no matter what, but you might as well stay busy.

Thanks for the heads up on the Hydra Fluid sale - I had 2 hours to spend firewooding yesterday and was able to only use the splitter for 15 minutes before a falling chunk knocked the hose off the axle/tank. Checked the hose clamps and both were loose. Looks like a quick trip to TSC this weekend.

I just did an upgrade/maintenance on mine. I used the ISO-46 from TSC at $33 for 5 gallon. I have no idea what the difference is.

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46 is little "thicker", (higher viscosity) than 32, and I would use 46 if I have "warm" winters and "hot" summers, and use 32 if I have "cold" winters and "warm" summers......LOL.....
Thicker oil (46) increase efficiancy on pump and cylinder (less internal leakage) but can screw up suction when it is cold (sub 32F)....

The New Holland and Kubota fluid I use in my other equipment. I stick to the manufacturers brands on that stuff. It's been four years since I changed the oil in my splitter, and I used a TSC brand back then, don't remember what it was.

Not to derail the thread but my splitter holds 30 gallons or so and I have a question.

Any info on reconditioning my existing oil? I've heard it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Can it be 'dried' like what is done with WVO used for fuel? I run a large filter on the return line like what is sold through Northern Tool.

Thanks.

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There are some filter systems to clean out moist from Hydr fluid.....but I doubt it would be cost efficient.....

If your oil is clear (like new oil), and not showing any signs of beeing "milky"....I would not worry about changing oil, as long as your regular filter is working....as long as there are no signs of corrosion, you are just fine IMO....I ran a fleet of logging equipmentfor 20+ years, and NEVER changed oil....some pieces ran for 15-20 years...never had a problem....of course we, little now and then poured some new oil in to them.....after blown hoses etc...

After I service the splitter would it do any harm to mix the old hydro fluid say 50/50 with bar oil and run it in the saw? Seems like a waste to just get rid of the old fluid when it could be used for something else.

I saved my old oil too. I'm figuring starting camp/brush fires, and maybe squirting on anything that looks like it might rust or squeak. I used motor oil to oil my winch cable, old hydraulic oil should work too.

Not to derail the thread but my splitter holds 30 gallons or so and I have a question.

Any info on reconditioning my existing oil? I've heard it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. Can it be 'dried' like what is done with WVO used for fuel? I run a large filter on the return line like what is sold through Northern Tool.

Thanks.

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Treeco,

AAKAMAN nailed it.

Let the thing sit undisturbed for several days and drain off a couple pints into a clear container. If it isn't milky looking there's no need to change it.
Let it sit in the container for an afternoon and see if any seperation occurs.

Generally, any water in the fluid will settle to the bottom of the tank if ya let it sit, so draining off a couple quarts now and then will keep it to a min.

For recovery/recondioning, the filter on your splitter should be doing OK for particulates. If you want to get water out of it, set up a double boiler and after an hour or so most will be driven out as steam.

Just a heads up though..
Hydro at 230 degrees is pretty flammable and will expand quite a bit, so don't start with more than half a container in the double boiler, and do it OUTSIDE!!
Major PITA to say the least, unless you have a tight budget and LOTS of hydro that is contaminated.

Stay safe!
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I have a 26 ton Brave splitter and I used the oil I took out of my Kubota L3830 after its 50 hour service that looked like new. The Super UDT fluid is very pricy stuff so rather than burn brush with it I saved the 17 gallons or so for use in my splitter. I noticed that the pump seems quieter with the Super UDT than with regular old hydraulic fluid.

These TSC splitters use the Universal hydraulic fluid from TSC that comes in the orange labeled jugs. Should say universal on the label in big letters. The labels were orange in the past. I changed my fluid out last year. Seemed like the 5 gallon pail was 60 + dollars.